Battle Over Chemical Facility Security Reignites

July 22, 2009–The extended deadline for temporary regulations addressing the security of thousands of chemical facilities expires Oct. 4, 2009. If Congress doesn't enact new legislation, business may continue as usual. But there is a possibility that Congress will act this year.

Toolbox: Homeland Security Daily Infrastructure Report

July 15, 2009–Reporters interested in following the hazards of dams, refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, and other infrastructure may find story leads in DHS reports.

Bills Seek Disclosure of "Fracking" Chemicals That May Threaten Drinking Wells

July 1, 2009–Proposed legislation would repeal a provision allowing secrecy over chemicals injected underground during high-tech gas drilling — such as benzene and toluene, which are known to be toxic.

EPA Relents, Releases List of 44 High-Hazard Coal-Ash Ponds

July 1, 2009–FOIA requests and Congressional pressure got the Obama administration to reverse its decision to withhold key information about dangers to communities from coal-ash ponds operated by electric utilities.

Rockefeller Introduces Bill To Outlaw Bayer Chem-Secrecy Ruse

July 1, 2009–Rockefeller's bill keeps FOIA exemptions for real security information, but forbids using the "sensitive security information" stamp.

EPA To Announce Proposed NO2 Standard

June 24, 2009–After several years of preparatory work, EPA is expected to announce by June 26, 2009, its proposed primary standard for one of the six "criteria" air pollutants, nitrogen dioxide.

North American Toxics Data Released

June 24, 2009–The Commission for Environmental Cooperation, which is a joint effort of Canada, the US, and Mexico, released on June 10, 2009, its annual report tracking and comparing toxic emissions.

Two Agencies Hide Neglect of Coal-Dam Safety with Secrecy

June 17, 2009–US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers say they "cannot make the list of 'high hazard' coal ash impoundment sites public," even though risk to communities exists -- like the December 2008 pond failure at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee.

Limited Evidence Raises Red Flags About Synthetic Turf

June 10, 2009–Users of athletic fields, parks, and playgrounds with artificial turf may face risks from dozens of potentially harmful synthetic chemicals in the ground-up recycled tires used to make it.

"Crime Scene Cleanup" in Kelly AFB Toxics Case

June 3, 2009–New evidence indicates the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry fails to protect communities from dangers such as the now-disappearing plumes of toxic groundwater carrying cancer-causing chemicals far beyond the Kelly Air Force Base near San Antonio, TX.